Raymond R. "Doc" Rollins

ROLLINS, Raymond R. "Doc", 85, of Springfield, passed away August 10, 2016. He was born January 1, 1931 in Springfield the son of Elsworth and Mary (Rhoden) Rollins. Doc worked as a lineman and central office technician for Ohio Bell for 38 years retiring in 1993. He was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, Moose Lodge and Eagles #397. Doc was a United States Air Force veteran having served in the Korean Conflict. While Doc's service in the Korean conflict was not in combat, but as a traveling baseball player who competed all over the world for his country, he always felt guilty for avoiding the real action in Korea, knowing the risks and losses of so many of his peers on the battlefield. In the off-season, when he wasn't playing sports, he was trained to string phone lines for the Air Force. When his tour was up, he was recruited with a AAA contract for the Baltimore Orioles. But his job at Ohio Thermometer (where he met Joanne) and then with Ohio Bell after returning from Korea offered more security, so that's the path he chose. Doc enjoyed playing baseball for his country, and later reminisced about famous professional coaches he had played ball with in those early years. His talents and his Patriotism were never wasted, just directed differently. Doc was a man of his word, no-nonsense, a working man whose faith and whose family were always his priorities. Doc was a Church of God boy, who converted to Catholicism after marrying Joanne. His devotion to God.....To JESUS resonated with everyone in his midst. Doc knew how to live and echo his faith with his every action, as a son, brother, employee soldier, husband, father, uncle, father-in-law, grandfather, neighbor, coach, friend, as a follower of Jesus, and as a dying man. Even during these last two and a half years while in Hospice, when he suffered, and on many occasions, he did suffer, Doc relied on God. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Joanne (Fugate); daughter Theresa Rollins, son Robert & Casey (Kelly) Rollins; one grandson Tom & Brittney (Grate) Rollins; great grandsons, Emerson and Elijah; niece Billie & Jim Bartram; special nephew, Joel & Sarah and their children, Annika, and Miles; siblings, Raymond L. Rollins, Jerry & Beverly Rollins, Rick & Nancy Rollins, Garry Rollins, Larry Rollins, sister-in-law Luana (Rapp) Rollins; son-in-law John Misocky; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a beloved daughter, Rita Misocky and siblings, Sidney, Mary, Jack, Ed, Bill, George and Sidney Jr. We cannot forget the outstanding love and care Doc received from our phenomenal caregivers. To all of our wonderful private caregivers and our Hospice family who have ministered to Doc, thank you so much! Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 11:00am in St. Bernard Catholic Church with visitation at 10:00a.m. (one hour prior). Burial will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Community Mercy Hospice 100 W. McCreight 45504 or St. Vincent DePaul, St.Bernard Conference- 910 Lagonda Avenue, 45503. Arrangements by CONROY FUNERAL HOME.